Occurrence of Equine Foamy Virus Infection in Horses from Poland.
Abstract: Equine foamy virus (EFVeca) is a foamy virus of non-primate origin and among the least-studied members of this retroviral subfamily. By sequence comparison, EFVeca shows the highest similarity to bovine foamy virus. In contrast to simian, bovine or feline foamy viruses, knowledge about the epidemiology of EFVeca is still limited. Since preliminary studies suggested EFVeca infections among horses in Poland, we aimed to expand the diagnostics of EFVeca infections by developing specific diagnostic tools and apply them to investigate its prevalence. An ELISA test based on recombinant EFVeca Gag protein was developed for serological investigation, while semi-nested PCR for the detection of EFVeca DNA was established. 248 DNA and serum samples from purebred horses, livestock and saddle horses, Hucul horses and semi-feral Polish primitive horses were analyzed in this study. ELISA was standardized, and cut off value, sensitivity and specificity of the test were calculated using Receiver Operating Characteristic and Bayesian estimation. Based on the calculated cut off, 135 horses were seropositive to EFVeca Gag protein, while EFVeca proviral DNA was detected in 85 animals. The rate of infected individuals varied among the horse groups studied; this is the first report confirming the existence of EFVeca infections in horses from Poland using virus-specific tools.
Publication Date: 2022-09-06 PubMed ID: 36146781PubMed Central: PMC9504846DOI: 10.3390/v14091973Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the findings of a study that developed new diagnostic tools to identify the prevalence of Equine Foamy Virus (EFVeca) in horses from Poland. The study found indications of EFVeca infections in these horses, demonstrating the effectiveness of the new diagnostic tools.
Introduction to the EFVeca
- The study focuses on the Equine Foamy Virus (EFVeca), a foamy virus that affects horses and is considered one of the less studied viruses within the retroviral subfamily it belongs to.
- It shows the highest similarity to bovine foamy virus as determined by sequence comparison.
- The current understanding of EFVeca’s epidemiology is limited, particularly compared to the foamy viruses found in bovines or felines.
Development of Diagnostic Tools
- Due to initial indications of EFVeca infections among horses in Poland, the researchers set out to develop specific diagnostic tools to further research the prevalence of EFVeca infections.
- An ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test, based on the EFVeca Gag protein, was developed to conduct serological examination for the virus.
- Additionally, a semi-nested PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method was established for the detection of EFVeca DNA.
Study and Results
- A total of 248 DNA and serum samples were analyzed from various classifications of horses including purebred, livestock and saddle, Hucul horses, and semi-feral Polish primitive horses.
- The ELISA method was standardized, and its sensitivity, specificity, and cut-off value calculated using methodologies such as Receiver Operating Characteristic and Bayesian estimation. ELISA is a common method used to detect and measure antibodies in the blood.
- Based on the cut-off value determined, it was found that 135 horses were seropositive to the EFVeca Gag protein, indicating the presence of the virus.
- Through the semi-nested PCR method, EFVeca proviral DNA was detected in 85 animals.
Conclusion
- In conclusion, the presence and rate of infection varied among the different groups of horses studied.
- The research provides the first report confirming the existence and prevalence of EFVeca infections in horses from Poland, discovered using the newly developed virus-specific diagnostic tools.
Cite This Article
APA
Materniak-Kornas M, Rożek W, Rola J, Osiński Z, Löchelt M, Kuźmak J.
(2022).
Occurrence of Equine Foamy Virus Infection in Horses from Poland.
Viruses, 14(9), 1973.
https://doi.org/10.3390/v14091973 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biochemistry, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland.
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland.
- Department of Virology, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland.
- Department of Hygiene of Feeding Stuffs, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland.
- Division of Viral Transformation Mechanisms, Research Program Infection, Inflammation and Cancer, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department of Biochemistry, National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bayes Theorem
- Cats
- Gene Products, gag
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Poland / epidemiology
- Spumavirus / genetics
- Virus Diseases
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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